Composite garment and method to manufacture same

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a composite garment that includes an attached liner including a bodice support which effectively supports and enhances the bust while supporting, smoothing and elongating the bodice of the dress. The present invention is suitable for most figures and can be tailored or customized to compliment most dress styles and body types. In one embodiment, the bodice support is attached to the top edge of the special occasion dress. The present invention allows the outer garment to hang free from the bodice ensuring that no stress points or stretching of the fabric or seams is created and that no stays are visible from the outside of the dress.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application derives priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/849,142, filed 16 May 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a new and useful improvement in ladies apparel. More particularly, this invention relates to a ladies bodice support that can be worn with special occasion dresses, including wedding dresses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Throughout history, women have worn special occasion dresses including wedding dresses and other formal evening dresses. These dresses are often uniquely stylized. Special occasion dresses are made with one of many unique necklines such as scoop, V-neck, sweetheart neck, halter or strapless, making it virtually impossible for the wearer to wear a standard brassiere. Moreover, special occasion dresses may have low or no back material, again making it impossible for the wearer to wear a standard brassiere. With these styles, a standard women's brassiere cannot be worn with the dress because the shoulder straps and/or the back strap of the brassiere will show. Moreover, these special occasion dresses often have fuller skirts and are made of heavy material making special occasion dresses considerably heavier than most ladies apparel.

Because of the unique styles and heavier materials of special occasion dresses, clothing designers have attempted to deal with the problem of achieving figure control in the midriff and abdomen areas, as well as bust support with bodices that have a built-in brassiere in one form or another. The constructions of the earlier bodices were different from and inferior to that of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a composite garment that includes an attached liner including a bodice support which effectively supports and enhances the bust while supporting, smoothing and elongating the bodice of the dress. The present invention is suitable for most figures and can be tailored or customized to compliment most dress styles and body types. The present invention enhances the bust by lifting and supporting. The present invention discloses a bodice support that gently cinches the midriff and abdomen areas of a women's body allowing these areas to appear smoother and smaller. The liner including the bodice support takes up space inside the special occasion dress and therefore, will not necessarily make a smaller dress size fit. In one embodiment, the bodice support is attached to the top edge of the special occasion dress. The present invention allows for comfort and freedom of movement while retaining its placement on the body and within the dress. The present invention allows the outer garment to hang free from the bodice ensuring that no stress points or stretching of the fabric or seams is created and that no stays are visible from the outside of the dress.

In its most simple embodiment, the present invention discloses a composite garment made of a dress and a liner. The dress of the composite garment has a top edge and a fastenable opening. The liner of the composite garment is made of a bodice support and a slip. The liner of the composite garment has two side seams. The bodice support has a top edge. In another embodiment, the bodice has a top edge and a bottom edge. The bodice support has two side seam panels that extend from the side-seam of the liner. The bodice support has a fastenable opening coexistent with the fastenable opening of the dress. The bodice support is made of a plurality of stays which are used to support the midriff, abdomen and bust of the wearer. The stays extend from substantially the top edge of the bodice support to the bottom edge of the bodice support. The stays are placed in close proximity to each other. In one embodiment, the stays are plastic. In another embodiment, the stays are metal. The stays are placed within zero centimeters of each other, or side by side, to three and one-half centimeters of each other. The stays may be placed within three and one-half centimeters to approximately seven and one-half centimeters from each other. There are at least eight stays. In one embodiment, at least two stays are placed side by side in the center front of said bodice support. The slip of the liner is attached to the bottom edge of the bodice support. The top edge of the dress is attached to the top edge of the bodice support.

The present invention discloses a bodice support that has bust cups. Each bust cup has a perimeter that is a rigid arcuate brace. At least one horizontal stay traverses the bust cup. At least one vertical stay traverses each bust cup and runs continuously into the midriff and abdomen areas of the bodice support. At least one horizontal stay connects the inner perimeters of the bust cups.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the bodice support has an extender that is not attached to the dress. The extender has a top edge and a bottom edge which correspond to the top edge and bottom edge of the bodice support.

The present invention also discloses a method to manufacture a composite garment. This method involves the steps of (1) obtaining a dress having a top edge, a fastenable opening, and a seam allowance; (2) obtaining a liner comprising a bodice support and a slip, wherein the liner has two side seams, wherein the bodice support has a top edge and a bottom edge, two side seam panels each extending from the side seam of the liner, wherein the bodice support has a fastenable opening coexistent with the fastenable opening of the dress, wherein the bodice support has a plurality of stays which extend from substantially the top edge of the bodice support to the bottom edge of the bodice support and which are placed in close proximity to each other, and a seam allowance, the slip is attached to the bottom edge of the bodice support; (3) altering the seam allowance in the dress to accommodate the wearer of the dress; (4) altering the seam allowance in the bodice support of the liner to accommodate the wearer of the liner; and (5) attaching the top edge of the dress to the top edge of the bodice support.

In one embodiment, the seam allowance in the dress is three to five inches and the seam allowance in the bodice support is three to four inches.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the composite garment according to one example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the composite garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the composite garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the composite garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a close up perspective view of the side seam panels of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a composite garment in use.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the side seam panels of FIG. 1

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the extender attached to the side seam panels.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the extender attached to one of the side seam panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrating specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As used by Applicants in this application hereto:

-   -   (1) “attached to” refers to the joining of two pieces of         material by sewing approximately one-fourth inch to five-eighths         inch from the edge;     -   (2) “bodice” refers to the upper region of a woman's dress;     -   (3) “bodice support” refers to a woman's close-fitting         supporting undergarment that is fastenable and which extends         from above or beneath the bust to the waist or below the waist;     -   (4) “bottom edge” refers to the bottom surface line of the         bodice support;     -   (5) “close proximity” refers to being near in space and         relationship;     -   (6) “dart” refers to a stitched tapering fold in a garment;     -   (7) “dress” refers to a one-piece garment, which contains         lining, for a woman or girl that covers the body and extends         down over the legs usually consisting of a bodice and skirt;     -   (8) “interfacing” refers to fabric sewn between the facing and         the outside of a garment for stiffening and shaping retention;     -   (9) “interlining” refers to a lining sewn between the ordinary         lining and the outside fabric; dress;     -   (11)“lining” refers to a material that is used to line the inner         surface of a dress;     -   (12)“obtaining a dress” refers to manufacturing the dress         oneself or coming into possession of a dress manufactured by         another;     -   (13)“obtaining a liner” refers to manufacturing the liner         oneself or coming into possession of the liner manufactured by         another;     -   (14)“slip” refers to an underskirt which is usually a little         shorter than outer clothing and often made with a ruffled,         pleated, or lace edge;     -   (15)“stay” refers to a thin firm strip interlaced throughout the         materials of a bodice support to provide support to the midriff,         abdomen and bust;     -   (16)“top edge” refers to the top surface line of the dress or         the bodice support;     -   (17)“top stitch” refers to making a line of stitching on the         outside of the composite garment close to the seam;     -   (18)“underwire” refers to circular or semicircular wire support         stitched around or under the bust cups;     -   (19)“zero centimeters” refers to stays placed side by side each         other.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, the composite garment is made of a dress and a liner. In the preferred embodiment, the dress has a top edge and a fastenable opening. The dress is preferably made of satin, silk, or polyester blends, but any material or combination of materials may be used as desired by one skilled in the art. Dress contains lining. Dress may be any size as desired by one skilled in the art. Dress has a natural waistline, but any other waistline may be used as desired by one skilled in the art. Also dress may have a strapless neckline, but any other neckline may be used as desired by one skilled in the art. For example, in one embodiment, the top edge of dress forms a strapless neckline. In another embodiment, top edge of dress forms a halter neckline. In a preferred embodiment, fastenable opening is preferably a zipper, but any other types of fastenable openings may be used as desired by one skilled in the art.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-9, the liner is made of a bodice support and a slip. The bodice support has a top edge and a bottom edge. The top edge of bodice support is attached to the top edge of the dress. The bodice support is preferably made of two layers of polyester lining and one layer of iron-on interfacing, but any other material, such as mesh, or combination of materials may be used as desired by one skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, two darts are placed in the bodice support, but more or less darts may be used as desired by one skilled in the art. The length of bodice support is dependent on the style and size of dress chosen by the wearer. The length of bodice support is the distance from the top edge to the bottom edge. In one embodiment, the bottom edge of bodice support is at the natural waistline. In another embodiment, the bottom edge of bodice support is extended to follow a dropped waistline (not shown) of dress. The dropped waistline is preferably extended one to four inches below the natural waistline, but any other length extension may be used as desired by one skilled in the art. The top edge of bodice support is made to align with the neckline and back of dress. The width of bodice support is dependent on the size of dress desired by the wearer. Bodice support is dependent on and consistent with the size and style of the dress, including the waistline, neckline, and back of dress.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, the bodice support has a plurality of stays extending from substantially the top edge of bodice support to the bottom edge of bodice support. In one embodiment, stays are plastic. In a second embodiment, stays are metal. Metal stays are preferably used with larger size dresses to strengthen the support to the abdomen, midriff, and bust provided by the bodice support to the wearer. Stays may be made of any other material as desired by one skilled in the art. Stays may be curved. Stays are preferably one half centimeter to one centimeter in width, but stays of other widths may be used as desired by one skilled in the art. The length of stays, the number of stays used in bodice support, and the placement of stays within bodice support are dependent on the style and size of bodice support, which is dependent on the size and style of dress. The length of stays is dependent on and consistent with the length of bodice support. In one embodiment, the back of dress and bodice support is low and therefore, stays located in the back of bodice are shorter in length. Stays can be sewn down the middle to keep the stays narrow.

Stays are placed within close proximity to each other. The placement of stays is dependent on the style and size of the dress. The larger the size of the dress, the greater the number of stays used in bodice support. The less material used in the style of the bodice support (such as if the bodice support were backless), the greater the number of stays used to provide support to the wearer. Stays are preferably placed between zero centimeters from each other, or side by side, to three and one-half centimeters from each other, but stays may be placed up to approximately seven and one-half centimeters apart as desired by one skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment, two stays are placed vertically side by side in the center front of the bodice support to support bust cups. The number of stays and the placement of stays in bodice support vary as the size and style of dress vary to provide support to the wearer. In one embodiment, dress is backless and therefore, bodice support has more stays in the front of bodice support and stays are spatially placed as needed to provide support to the wearer. Stays are placed within bodice support. Stays are spatially placed throughout bodice support to support and enhance the midriff, abdomen, and bust of the wearer. Bodice support has at least eight stays, but more stays may be used as desired by one skilled in the art. For example, bodice support is made to accommodate a ladies dress size fourteen and has eighteen stays within bodice support.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-9, the bodice support has two side seam panels which extend from the side seams of the liners. Side seam panels have a fastenable opening coexistent with the fastenable opening of dress. In the preferred embodiment, the fastenable opening of the side seam panels of bodice support is made of hooks and eyes, but other materials may be used as desired by one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, one side seam panel has multiple strips of eyes which are used to allow the wearer to secure the side seam panels around the back as tightly as needed to provide adequate support. In one embodiment, an extender may be used to attach to the side seams and further extend the dimensions of the side seam panels. In one embodiment, extender has a top edge and bottom edge and multiple strips of eyes and at least one strip of hooks.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, bodice support has bust cups configured to receive and support the breasts of the wearer. Bust cups are made of polyester lining and interfacing, but any other material or combination of materials may be used as desired by one skilled in the art. Bust cups may contain different amounts and types of padding material as desired by one skilled in the art to provide more or less support and enhancement to the breasts. Each bust cup has a perimeter. Perimeter is a rigid arcuate brace. In one embodiment, one horizontal stay traverses the bust cups and runs continuously across the bust cups. In another embodiment, one horizontal stay traverses the apex of each bust cup and does not run continuously across the bust cups. One curved vertical stay traverses the apex of each bust cup and runs continuously into the midriff and abdomen areas of the bodice support. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical stay which traverses the apex of each bust cup is sewn down the middle to make stay narrow. One horizontal stay connects the inner perimeters of bust cups. Perimeter of bust cups is preferably made of metal underwire, but other materials such as plastic may be used as desired by one skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the perimeter encircles each entire bust cup. In another embodiment, the perimeter encircles part of each bust cup. The top edge of bodice support determines the extent to which perimeter encircles each bust cup.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-9, the slip of the liner is attached to the bottom edge of bodice support. The slip is not attached to the dress. Slip is preferably made of polyester lining, but other materials, such as silk, or a combination of materials may be used as desired by one skilled in the art.

The top edge of bodice support is attached to the top edge of the dress. Bodice support is approximately one-half inch smaller than the bodice of dress. The top edge of dress and top edge of bodice support have no seam allowance for alteration. In a preferred embodiment, a top stitch is sewn to top edges and to ensure the placement of dress. Dress has a seam allowance that may be altered to accommodate the wearer of dress. The seam allowance is located on each side and center back of the bodice of dress. The seam allowance in dress is approximately three to five inches. Liner has a seam allowance that may be altered to accommodate the wearer. The seam allowance in liner is approximately three to four inches and is located on the side and center back of bodice support. In a preferred embodiment, the seam allowance in liner corresponds to any alteration made to the seam allowance in dress. At least one stay is placed on the reverse side of each side seam allowance in bodice support (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, the present invention discloses a method to manufacture a composite garment comprising: (1) obtaining a dress having a top edge, a fastenable opening, and a seam allowance; (2) obtaining a liner comprising a bodice support and a slip, wherein the liner has two side seams, wherein the bodice support has a top edge and a bottom edge, two side seam panels each extending from the side seam of the liner, wherein the bodice support has a fastenable opening coexistent with the fastenable opening of the dress, wherein the bodice support has a plurality of stays which extend from substantially the top edge of the bodice support to the bottom edge of the bodice support and which are placed in close proximity to each other, and a seam allowance, the slip is attached to the bottom edge of the bodice support; (3) altering the seam allowance in the dress to accommodate the wearer of the dress; (4) altering the seam allowance in the bodice support of the liner to accommodate the wearer of the liner; and (5) attaching the top edge of the dress to the top edge of the bodice support.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, the seam allowance (not shown) in dress is approximately three to five inches, but said seam allowance may be more than five inches or less than three inches as desired by one skilled in the art. The seam allowance of dress is located on the sides of the bodice of dress and on the center back beside the fastenable opening of dress.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, the seam allowance (not shown) in bodice support is approximately three to four inches, but said seam allowance may be more than four inches or less than three inches as desired by one skilled in the art. 

I claim:
 1. A composite garment, comprising: a dress having a top edge and a bodice portion, said bodice portion having a fastenable opening; a bodice support having a top edge and a bottom edge, said bodice support sized to fit inside said bodice portion of said dress; and a slip having a top edge; wherein said top edge of said dress is attached to said top edge of said bodice support, said top edge of said dress and said top edge of said bodice support having no seam allowance for alteration; wherein said bodice support further comprises a fastenable opening coexistent with the fastenable opening of said bodice portion of said dress; wherein said bodice support further comprises at least eight stays; and wherein said top edge of said slip is attached to said bottom edge of said bodice support.
 2. The composite garment of claim 1, wherein said fastenable opening of said bodice portion of said dress comprises a zipper, and wherein said fastenable opening of said bodice support is made of hooks and eyes.
 3. The composite garment of claim 1, wherein said at least eight stays are spaced between zero centimeters to seven and one-half centimeters apart.
 4. The composite garment of claim 3, wherein said at least eight stays are spaced between zero centimeters to three and one-half centimeters apart.
 5. The composite garment of claim 1, wherein said bodice support further comprises: two side seams; and two side panels, one each extending from one of said two side seams; wherein said side panels each comprise an opposing portion of said fastenable opening of said bodice support.
 6. The composite garment of claim 5, wherein said bodice support further comprises one or more side seam panel extenders extending from one or more of said two side seams.
 7. The composite garment of claim 1, wherein said bodice support is approximately one-half inch smaller than said bodice portion of said dress.
 8. The composite garment of claim 1, wherein said dress is backless.
 9. The composite garment of claim 1, wherein said dress has seam allowances located on each side and a center back of said bodice portion of said dress.
 10. The composite garment of claim 9, wherein said seam allowances are between three and five inches.
 11. The composite garment of claim 1, wherein said bodice support has seam allowances located on each side and a center back of said bodice support.
 12. The composite garment of claim 9, wherein said seam allowances are between three and four inches.
 13. The composite garment of claim 9, wherein at least one stay is placed in the reverse side of each of same seam allowances in said sides of said bodice support.
 14. The composite garment of claim 1, wherein said bodice support further comprises two bust cups.
 15. The composite garment of claim 14, wherein each of said two bust cups comprises at least one vertical stay which traverses each bust cup and runs continuously into the midriff and abdomen areas of said bodice support.
 16. A method of manufacturing a composite garment, the method comprising: obtaining a dress having a top edge, a fastenable opening, and a seam allowance; obtaining a liner comprising a bodice support and a slip, wherein the liner has two side seams, wherein the bodice support has a top edge and a bottom edge and two side seam panels each extending from the side seam of the liner, wherein the bodice support has a fastenable opening coexistent with the fastenable opening of the dress, wherein the bodice support has a plurality of stays which extend from substantially the top edge of the bodice support to the bottom edge of the bodice support and which are placed in close proximity to each other, and a seam allowance, wherein the slip is attached to the bottom edge of the bodice support; altering the seam allowance in the dress to accommodate the wearer of the dress; altering the seam allowance in the bodice support of the liner to accommodate the wearer of the liner; and attaching the top edge of the dress to the top edge of the bodice support. 